Malaysia is reviewing its copyright framework to address the use of protected works in artificial intelligence (AI) training while seeking to avoid rules that could constrain technology investment, trade and innovation.
The Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) is studying several options, including provisions that could allow copyright owners to opt out of having their works used for data mining and AI training.
MyIPO director-general Yusnieza Syarmila Yusoff said the agency has engaged stakeholders on the implications of technology companies using copyrighted material as training data to develop AI systems and generate new content.
She said the review centres on two main copyright issues — the use of protected works as input or training data, and the ownership status of AI-generated output.
MyIPO is also examining the scope of permitted use for data mining, including the types and purposes of content that may be accessed and potential limits on the volume of copyrighted material used.
Yusnieza said any framework would need to protect copyright owners while maintaining conditions that support technology development, trade and investment.
“We do not want laws to be overly restrictive to the point of stifling trade, investment and technological growth,” she said.
She added that MyIPO was continuing to examine copyright provisions, exceptions and limitations through stakeholder discussions before deciding on an approach.
The review comes as newsrooms, publishers, content creators and technology companies face growing questions over copyright ownership, infringement liability and the use of existing works to train generative AI systems.
